from Part II - The Meal
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 August 2026
Global fruit production has been increasing, but, as with vegetables, people are not consuming enough fruit. Bananas, watermelons, apples, grapes, and oranges are the most popular fruits. The impacts of climate change will vary because each fruit requires a specific climate to grow; however, an increased risk of pest attacks is likely to be a common theme. Despite this, overall production is unlikely to plummet due to climate change – at least for the next few decades. Among the top five fruits, bananas are more vulnerable to disease than apples. This is because only one commercial variety is cultivated worldwide, creating a lack of genetic diversity. The stagnation of orange production illustrates how devastating pest attacks can be. Managing the risks posed by climate change will involve cultivating local and traditional varieties, which in turn requires a shift in consumer preferences. In the immediate future, global production volumes may not decline, but there will be local bad years, and companies should consider diversifying their businesses.
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